Often referred to as the oldest apartment building in the U.S., the residential apartments offer an unparalleled living experience in New Orleans one that combines the buildings fascinating history and unique design with classic modern elegance. apartments. Goyeneche believes that the FBI investigation could expand to include FOX 8s findings. The Pontalba Buildings form two sides of Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.. Your browser is not currently supported. Pontalba new orleans Stock Photos and Images New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has admitted to living rent-free in a city-owned luxury apartment in the French Quarter just weeks after it was revealed that she blew nearly $30,000 in. Armed with photos of Mayor LaToya Cantrell hopping out of a city-owned SUV and claims that it has cooperating witnesses, a watchdog group has asked the New Orleans City Council to investigate Cantrells personal use of a city-owned apartment on Jackson Square. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. RF 2JJ9T63 - View of Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral on Easter Sunday 2022. RE/MAX, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act and equal opportunity housing. That isnt the governors mansion. Across the square is a second building, known as the Lower Pontalba, which is owned by the state. See a spelling or grammar error in our story? On Sept. 6 at 7:33 a.m., Mayor LaToya Cantrell arrived at the city's Upper Pontalba apartment in the French Quarter. Goyeneche says the emails show Cantrell is utilizing the apartment like a hotel or guest home. Neither the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORS, Inc. nor the Gulf South Real Estate Information Network, Inc. makes any representation, guarantees, or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of the information provided. The building on the other side, fronting Rue St. Ann, is the lower Pontalba Building. The apartments were one of the most historic rentals in the State of Louisiana. Emails independently obtained by The Times-Picayune show that Cantrell has been personally involved in maintenance requests for the apartment dating back at least to January. FOX 8 also spoke with Mayor Ray Nagins city attorney, who said she didnt recall Nagin using the apartment to live out of. The detailed listing page about such properties includes the name of the listing Brokers. [2][3], Last edited on 12 December 2022, at 09:48, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, List of National Historic Landmarks in Louisiana, National Register of Historic Places listings in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Pontalba Buildings", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pontalba_Buildings&oldid=1126995861. In each case, thorough research was performed to determine market rental rates for similar units in the French Quarter. (See HISTORY for more information about the history of the building and its namesake, Micaela Leonarda Antonia Almonester, Baroness Pontalba). New Orleans mayor defends living rent-free in city-owned apartment Mayor Cantrell has repeatedly claimed her use of the apartment is in line with past mayors. When it came, for example, for other things, theres all these developed policies, you can go on the citys website and see what all the policies are for employees. Pontalba Buildings Lathan's Contributions: In 2006, The Lathan Company completed the restoration of the iron railings, galleries, slate roofs, and copper roofs. It was originally purchased during the Morial administration, with the purpose of the space being to host visiting dignitaries or hold city events. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. And the mayor believes that the people of the city of New Orleans work for her, because thats evidenced by her approach to how shes utilizing their property.. Copyright 2023 Upper Pontalba Building Restoration Corp. Site by Deep Fried Advertising, Located on Jackson Square in the French Quarter, steps away from St. Louis Cathedral, the Upper Pontalba building is one of the most historically and architecturally significant structures in New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Newly obtained emails show New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell may have crossed an ethical line and possibly violated state law by letting out-of-town family members stay at a city-owned apartment. Each unique apartment showcases historic interior accents based on original building details, including sconces modeled after gas lantern medallions designed by the Baroness Pontalba herself and crown molding cast from original designs. about; tenant forms; history; about us. Zurik: Mayor Cantrell allowed family members to use city-owned Upper Pontalba apartment, emails show, Two killed in St. Tammany Parish crash, authorities say, ZURIK: Environmental scientist questions asbestos remediation in Jefferson Parish Subdivision. Please reach out to one of our market experts if you have any questions or would like assistance seeing any Upper Pontalba condos for sale. ZURIK: Former mayor contradicts Mayor Cantrells claims about Pontalba apartment, Two killed in St. Tammany Parish crash, authorities say, ZURIK: Environmental scientist questions asbestos remediation in Jefferson Parish Subdivision. Upper Pontalba is a community of condos in Metairie Louisiana offering an assortment of beautiful styles, varying sizes and affordable prices to choose from. Zurik: Mayor Cantrell allowed family members to use city-owned Upper But this one, I just didnt know about, said New Orleans City Councilman Joe Giarrusso. Neither the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORS, Inc. nor the Gulf South Real Estate Information Network, Inc. makes any representation, guarantees, or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of the information provided. This is a private benefit for her and her family members, and thats an abuse of authority, Goyeneche said. Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission says the city of New Orleans doesnt have a designated residence for the mayor. Please include the headline. The group says they too received credible information and documentation from multiple independent sources that Mayor Cantrell has been inhabiting and/or personally utilizing the Jackson Square apartment. The report asks that the New . Afterward, Don Andres Almonester y Rojas, a wealthy civil servant of the Spanish colonial government, helped to fund the building of the Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral and the Presbytere on the lake side of Jackson Square, which was then known as the Place d'Armes. Fox 8 has previously reported that former mayors mainly used the apartment to host dignitaries and hold meetings. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - After FOX 8 found Mayor LaToya Cantrell using a city-owned French Quarter apartment for personal use, the mayor repeatedly said she had the right to use the apartment and. History Built by Micaela Almonsester, Baroness de Pontalba, the Pontalba apartments were commissioned in order to surround Jackson Square and give it a resemblance to the great public squares of Europe in the 1840s. Pontalba Buildings Discover a selection of 3,000 vacation rentals near Pontalba Buildings, New Orleans that are perfect for your trip. For decades, the city has controlled the unit in the historic Upper Pontalba, which is sometimes used as a crash pad for visiting dignitaries or a venue for parties. The Upper Pontalba Apartments | The McEnery Company They specifically disclaim any and all liability for all claims or damages that may result from providing information to be used on the website, or the information which it contains, including any websites maintained by third parties, which may be linked to this website. What does the reinstatement of Officer Vappie mean for the consent decree? Mayor Cantrells security officers clocked time while nowhere near her, Cantrell: Divorce filing none of my business, and none of yours, FBI expands investigation into Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Former mayor contradicts Mayor Cantrells claims about Pontalba apartment, Inspector General launches investigation into Cantrells use of city-owned apartment. The Upper and Lower Pontalba buildings flanking Jackson Square were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974. Some features of this website may not work until you update to a supported browser. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Following a Lee Zurik investigation finding New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell spending much of her time at a city-owned apartment, possibly without paying rent, FOX 8 contacted the administrations of all prior New Orleans mayors to discuss how the apartment was used during their terms. Copyright 2023 New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORS, Inc. All rights reserved. Cantrell added that she had family staying in the apartment days later. Who gets to stay at that apartment?. According to the former mayor of the city of New Orleans, he never used it as a residence. Comments allow viewers to share information with others or alert us to errors or changes in a New Deal site. That is just an apartment thats available for occasional use, not in the method that shes used it, Goyeneche said. ZURIK: City Council to outline uses for Upper Pontalba Apartment unit - MSN A French Market Corporation rent study shows fair market monthly rent for the unit owned by the city is about $2,900. Upper Pontalba Condos For Sale - Metairie, LA Real Estate - BEX Realty The owner of the Lower Pontalba,William Ratcliffe Irby, bequeathed that building to the Louisiana State Museum upon his death in 1927. The nonprofit groups call for a formal probe could spark more debate about whether Cantrell has improperly used city assets for personal purposes. The heirs sold the lower building to local philanthropist William Ratcliffe Irby, who in turn bequeathed the property to the Louisiana State Museum. The French Market Corporation, a city entity whose board is appointed by the mayor, controls the Upper Pontalba Apartments and gives use of one of the units to the mayor's office. The sharing of MLS database, or any portion thereof, with any unauthorized third party is strictly prohibited. What does the reinstatement of Officer Vappie mean for the consent decree? Its an extension of her house, in her opinion, Goyeneche said. In fact, Morial says he has no recollection of spending a single night at the apartment. Upper Pontalba condos for sale range in square footage from around 1,400 square feet to over 1,800 square feet and in price from approximately $540,000 to $550,000. In the past, that apartment has been a place to host and entertain visiting dignitaries, but the Metropolitan Crime Commission asked the City Council this week to investigate evidence that Cantrell moved into it earlier this year. Former mayoral administrations say city-owned Pontalba apartment was never lived in. Shes not the president of the United States. On March 3, 2020, Mayor Cantrell sent the French Market Corporation an email with a long list of needs for the apartment. Information contained on this site is believed to be reliable; yet, users of this website are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of all information. Local civic leaders acquired the upper building, which they sold to a foundation in 1930, the Pontalba Building Museum Association. Included in its letter to the council were several photos of Cantrell walking near the building as recently as this month and images of a city-owned SUV parked outside the Pontalba. Along with being under investigation by the New Orleans Office of Inspector General, the FBI is also investigating thousands of dollars in purchases made by Cantrells stylist. There was a problem saving your notification. 500 St. Ann Street & 500 St. Peter Street, 1850 (Upper building); 1851 (Lower building), This page was last edited on 12 December 2022, at 09:48. The buildings include the first recorded instance in the city of the use of cast iron 'galleries', which set a fashion that soon became the most prominent feature of the city's residential architecture. Fox 8 filed a public records request and obtained emails sent by Cantrell regarding the apartment and family members and other guests staying there. Zurik: Mayor Cantrell allowed family members to use city-owned Upper On June 29, 2021, Mayor Cantrell emailed the head of the French Market Corporation writing that she had water damage in the apartment and that the floor in the entrance to the bedroom had buckled. The foundation turned the upper building over to the City of New Orleans, which has owned it since the 1930s. Please contact us if you cannot properly experience this site. "In addition, the most recent franchise agreement contains no rules governing how that unit should be used. Thats the citys apartment. His daughter, Micaela Leonard Antonia Almonester y Rojase, the Baroness de Pontalba, was born Nov. 6, 1795, in New Orleans. 2021 The Lathan Company. What is the purpose of that apartment? Eli Brand Reporter Show Transcript Documents show that the Pontalba Apartment in the French Quarter is owned by the city of New Orleans and not the French Quarter Market Corporation, contrary. The Upper Pontalba is now managed by the city-owned French Market Corp., which rents out the apartments but historically reserves one unit for the mayor's use. In 1995, a French Market Corporation official said the unit was retained for use by visiting dignitaries and economic development missions, but he didn't expect then-Mayor Marc Morial to spend nights in the apartment. A former department head from Mayor Marc Morials administration said the former mayor did not use the apartment to live in. The information being provided is for the consumers personal, noncommercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties which consumers may be interested in purchasing. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD News that the New Orleans mayor might be. The city apartment, according to that article, was reserved at all times for friends of the mayor, like the Green Bay mayor who visited town for that years Super Bowl. Upon her father's death, according to the Upper Pontalba's website, she inherited his estate and, after selling some of its holdings onBayou Road, announced her plans for the square in 1849: First, a set of 16 red-brick row houses on St. Peter, then a set of 16 on St. Ann. Inside America's Oldest Apartments The Upper and Lower Pontalba Apartment buildings, on either side of Jackson Square, were built by the Baroness Michaela Pontalba in about 1850. These emails and communications just basically document that. ZURIK: NOPD investigating officer frequently inside Cantrell's city The Pontalba Buildings form two sides of Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. They didnt respond. The Upper Pontalba Building Armed with photos of Mayor LaToya Cantrell hopping out of a city-owned SUV and claims that it has "cooperating witnesses," a watchdog group has asked the New Orleans. Board and Staff | New Orleans' Historic Upper Pontalba Building Upper Pontalba Apartments, New Orleans, LA Real Estate and Homes for Sale Your search does not match any homes. about; leasing; tenant forms; shopping & dining. Here's how New Orleans came to own it. Dillard University political analyst Dr. Robert Collins places blame on Mayor Cantrell, but also says the French Market Corporation is at fault for not having written guidelines for the citys property. Emails to and from Bryon Cornelison, deputy director of programs for the Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy, show Cornelison fielding responses from Cantrell to fix the shower, internet service and other fixtures at the property. Officer Vappie returns to mayors security team following close of investigation, he never stayed at the apartment overnight. Coordinates: 29.958061, -90.062537. Collins and Goyeneche believe it proves Cantrells use of the apartment is not in line with how it has been used by past administrations. This is not being used for public purposes. In its letter, the Metropolitan Crime Commission asks the council to investigate whether Cantrell is living in the building, and whether she is "complying with city policy and/or state law by inhabiting this city-owned apartment without paying rent or being taxed for the fair market value use of this unit.". Maybe a mayor could spend the night there here or there if it was necessary to make a public appearance in the area but it was never intended to be a residence for the mayor of the city of New Orleans., Cantrell administration turns over NOPD timesheets after Fox 8 threatens lawsuit, City to comb through Mayor Cantrells hotel upgrades amid Fox 8 investigation, Cantrells calendar raises more questions about time spent inside Upper Pontalba apartment, Inspector General launches investigation into Cantrells use of city-owned apartment. Location notes: The Lower Pontalba Building is located at the coordinates shown. There were some other dignitaries who spent the night there, but generally it was a place used to entertain during French Quarter Fest, during Mardi Gras, during Essence fest, that was its primary use. In 1935, both buildings were renovated into apartments, and both were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Upper Pontalba apartment building on Jackson Square in New Orleans is shown Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The listing data on this website comes in part from a cooperative data exchange program of the multiple listing service (MLS) or additional real estate data sources in which this real estate Broker participates. Most recently, we were engaged to provide anopinion of market rent for theapartments.